Decks Cleared For Indian Navy To Acquire 24 MH-60R Seahawk Anti-Submarine Helicopters From US

The Indian Navy is all set to acquire 24 MH-60R Seahawk Anti-Submarine Helicopters from the United States of America after all the bureaucratic hurdles in the deal have been overcome, Strategy Page has reported.

The helicopters are expected to cost $109 million each including accessories, spare parts, tech support and maintenance facilities. The delivery of these helicopters would begin within a year which tipped the scales in the US made copter’s favour. Despite their higher costs, Seahawks are tipped to be more value for money.

These helicopters can both be used for anti-submarine warfare and for attacks on surface vessels using hellfire missiles. In order to detect submarines the helicopters would be equipped with cutting edge sonar and radar.

The radar system can be used to detect submarines travelling on the surface or just below. This is especially effective considering modern nuclear submarines travel just below the ocean surface to get rid of exhaust fumes.

These helicopters are the naval version of the US Army’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and can be used for search and rescue operations.